I've sinned, but may not go to confession

[Belle10]

May God reward all of you who have responded and prayed!

I’ve returned from confession, and my soul feels so much lighter. The little old priest was there, but I told him everything, even about my reluctance to come to confession, and rather than encountering the same explanation, he really offered me some true guidance. He even advised me how I can better rend myself unto Mary.

I am going to join a gym and go there whenever I can in order to deplete myself of some excess energy. It seems like there might need to be some lifestyle changes for a deeper interior change to also happen.

:extrahappy: :extrahappy: :extrahappy:

That’s great!

:hug1:

 

[Strategery]

I am not a better person than you. I do not repent when I am sinning. I repent after the fact. It makes me very upset when, at the end of the day, I look at myself and see that I am doing exactly what I didn’t want to do. My flesh overrides my spirit. I can tell that I am pushing away grace in order to do what I want to do. In order to fix this, I need to put down my flesh through fasting and penance. I feel like a hypocrit because I tell you what I need to be doing and then don’t do it. However, I feel it needs to be said. It’s really tough, but keep up the fight. It will be worth it in the end, I promise.

Read Romans 7 - you’re in good company.

You’re getting great advice from a lot of folks on this board who have fought the same battle. Listen to them, they’ve walked the same road you have. I have too.

You HAVE to stop beating yourself up over this. I call this Satan’s “double hook” – he tempts you, you accept the temptation (sin 1), he accuses you of sinning, and you believe him when he tells you you aren’t worthy of forgiveness (sin 2). Recognize that this is Satan putting the screws to you.

When you confess, confess that you are also believing Satan’s lie that you are not worthy of forgiveness, and that he has tempted you not to go to confession. This is the sign of an elevated game.

Do the best you can not to get discouraged. Trust in the Lord. You’re sitting in a spiritual battle. TAKE HEART in the fact that Satan is putting so much work into you. That means that there are great things in your future, and He’s trying to cut you down so you don’t advance in your spirituality. Don’t let him do that to you.

Frequent confession. Go to mass as often as you can. Take the Eucharist, and when you receive it ask God for the grace to deal with this problem.